How to open file in another directory in java?

Question

How to open a file that is not present in the current directory but in another directory. For example, I have a folder F:/test and my file is in F:/test/test2/doit.txt and D:/test3/doit2.txt

What to enter in path in parameter while making File object as follows :

File f = new File("/test2/doit.txt");

possible duplicate of [How to scan a file in a different directory in java?](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2007503/how-to-scan-a-file-in-a-different-directory-in-java) — Goran Jovic, Jan 25 '13 at 11:56

score 8 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 25 '13 at 12:03

Irrespective of which operating system, a file for example, demo.txt can be accessed like

File file = new File("/d:/user/demo.txt");

in Windows where the file is at D:\user\ and

File file = new File("/usr/demo.txt");

in *nix or *nuxwhere the file is at /usr/

Also, a file if wanted to be accessed relatively can be done as (considering the Windows example) :

Suppose I am in the songs directory in D: like:

D:/
|
|---songs/
|   |
|   |---Main.java
|
|---user/
    |
    |---demo.txt

and the code is inside Main.java, then the following code works.

File file = new File("../user/demo.txt");

you didn't escape slashes in File() constructor – Bhavik Shah Jan 25 '13 at 12:08 — Bhavik Shah, Jan 25 '13 at 12:08

Paweł Piecyk · Answer 2 · 2013-01-25T12:11:26.877

5

Assuming that you are running your program from F:/test you should use something like:

File f = new File("./test2/doit.txt");

Using hardcoded absolute paths isn't a good idea - your program might not work when user has different directory structure.

edited Jan 25 '13 at 12:11

answered Jan 25 '13 at 11:59

Paweł Piecyk

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@NickJ explained on the accepted answer. If you cannot understand the comment, perhaps you should (do a bit of searching &) ask a new question. – Andrew Thompson Jan 25 '13 at 12:10
1

I've added more informations. @Andrew Thompson: The path is correct assuming that you're running program from D:/test and file location is D:/test/test2/doit.txt. – Paweł Piecyk Jan 25 '13 at 12:12
@AndrewThompson : I was actually directing Pawel to include the reson for his claims – Bhavik Shah Jan 25 '13 at 12:15

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Oct 01 '22 at 20:28

File inside of a project can be open as:

       File file = new File(path);

or

       File file = new File(./path);

where path is relative path from the project.

For example, when the project name is test and the file with name fileName is inside the test project:

      File file = new File("fileName");

or

      File file = new File("./fileName");

score -2 · Answer 4 · edited Apr 19 '18 at 13:21

-2

Please try the code below on Windows OS:

reader = new FileReader ("C:/Users/user/Desktop/java/test.txt");

edited Apr 19 '18 at 13:21

kshetline

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answered Jan 25 '13 at 11:27

ssaitala

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Ok, so the paths need to be absolute rather than relative in java.io. Thankx – Tiny Jaguar Jan 25 '13 at 11:30
3

The trouble with expressing the path like that, it makes sure that the application can only run on Windows. Java is supposed to be cross platform. Linux doesn't have a C: drive. – NickJ Jan 25 '13 at 11:32
1

Now I can read it, this is a poor answer. The OP should figure how to work with relative directories. Also, don't add salutations and sigs. into answers (or questions). As comments, they are noise. As part of a Q or A, really irritating noise. – Andrew Thompson Jan 25 '13 at 11:51

How to open file in another directory in java?

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